Cloisonné enamel
Multi-coloured cloisonné enamel dials remain very rare at Omega up to this day, with most being produced between 1946 and 1956. In 1954, Omega commissioned a small batch of cloisonné enamel dials depicting an astronomical observatory cupola in vivid tones of blue, turquoise, and gold from dial maker Stern Frères, the leading producer of enamel dials at the time. Requiring the utmost in skill and talent, these dials were naturally reserved for Omega’s most prestigious watches.
The cloisonné technique involves separating the coloured fields of an enamel design with miniscule gold threads smaller in diameter than a hair, practically tracing the outlines of the individual colour sections.
The observatory motif
An astronomical observatory emblem has featured on every single Constellation caseback since the collection was initially launched in 1952. The motif depicting the cupola of an observatory surrounded by eight stars was inspired by the observatory competitions. Popular legend pegs the cupola as belonging to the Geneva observatory. In reality, it is more likely to be a generic depiction. The eight stars represent Omega’s greatest chronometric achievements at the annual observatory chronometer tests between 1945 and 1952.
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The Omega Museum purchased the Omega Constellation Reference OT 2699 at an auction in 2007. Sold with its original box and a certificate of authenticity the Lot 160 had an auction estimate of CHF 25,000, but hammered at CHF 152,500. A Grand Luxe edition of the watch with an 18K gold bracelet also emerged at auction in Geneva, selling for CHF 106,250.
But aside from its investment value, the Constellation OT 2699 model is particularly recognised by collectors since to this day it embodies the very best of what Omega stands for: beauty, reliability, and precision.
